You are now enrolled or previously were enrolled in a regular session at a tertiary institution (college or university) after completion of secondary school. You cannot disregard your college record and apply as a first year student.

Requirements: First Year Students

You are considered a first year applicant if both of the following apply to you:

You are completing (or have already completed) secondary school with very good grades and earned a certificate of completion that enables you to be admitted to a university in your home country. AND

You have not enrolled in a regular session at any college or university after completing secondary school.

Academic Requirements

Secondary school certificate of completion

GPA of 3.4 or above

Completion of 15 yearlong academic courses with a 3.4 GPA:

2 years of history (in place of U.S. history, history of your country)

4 years of composition and literature in language in which you are instructed

3 years (four years recommended) of college-preparatory mathematics that include the topics covered in elementary and advanced algebra and two- and three-dimensional geometry.* (Approved integrated math courses may be used to fulfill part or all of this requirement.)

2 years of laboratory science (biology, chemistry, and/or physics) OR 2 years of integrated science

2 years of a second language

1 yearlong course (or 2 semesters) of visual and performing arts

1 additional course from any subject area above * Math courses taken in the seventh and eight grades/intermediate school may be used to fulfill part of this requirement. Integrated math courses (e.g. Math I, Math II, etc.) with geometry content may be equated with a standard course in geometry.

*If you have taken the SAT Reasoning exam, it will only be accepted for 2019 admission applications.

The application for admission to the University of California is shared by all UC campuses. If you have your official ACT or SAT test results sent to one campus, it will be available to all UC campuses to which you applied.

Optional Examinations:

The SAT Subject Tests are not required. However, you are welcome to submit scores if you would like to:

Use Subject Tests to satisfy “a-g” subject requirements.

Show your mastery of a particular subject or set of subjects.

English Language Proficiency Requirements

Applicants must demonstrate strong abilities in reading, writing, comprehension and verbal communication in the English language.

English Language Proficiency Requirements

Transfer students can demonstrate English proficiency by completing one UC-transferable college course (3 semester or 4-5 quarter units) in English composition with a grade of C or better at an accredited U.S. college or university.

Note: UC Merced does not accept English composition courses from international universities where the language of instruction is not English.

About the UC Merced Transfer Admission Guarantee (TAG) program

If you are enrolled at a California Community College, you can use ASSIST.org to determine if your college courses are transferable and our major articulation page to determine which courses are required for your major. Students transferring from a California Community College also are eligible to participate in the UC Merced Transfer Admission Guarantee (TAG) program.

TAG contracts specify the courses to be completed and GPA you must earn at a California Community College to be guaranteed admission to UC Merced in the major of your choice.